Person of the Month: Judith Rottensteiner

Once a dedicated young music student in Salzburg, Judith Rottensteiner is now Head of Sales and Marketing at one of the city’s historic wineries.

Mrs. Rottensteiner, how did this turning point in your life come about?

As a young music student and flutist – my passion is the transverse flute – I would never have imagined that about twenty years later I would be managing such an important department in a winery. However, it was precisely in Salzburg that I met the man who later became my husband. Despite this, after returning to Bolzano, my professional life continued with my work at Alto Adige Marketing – SMG.

How did your career then intersect with the world of wine?

At the same time, in my private life, my relationship with the young man I had met in Salzburg continued. His family owns one of the city’s historic wineries (Hans Rottensteiner Estate), and he was already working full-time in the family business, handling everything from production to sales. During our engagement, he asked me to accompany him to various wine fairs held in Italy and abroad. Thanks to my experience in communication and marketing, my support proved to be very important.

Were you passionate about the wine sector from the very beginning?

I gradually became involved, started to take an interest and to study, and eventually earned my AIS Sommelier diploma (Associazione Italiana Sommelier). We got married in 2012, and it was only natural for me to join and continue the family business, where I am responsible for sales, promotion, and marketing, while my husband prefers to oversee all production processes in the cellar. Today I carry out my role full-time, also thanks to the support of my mother-in-law, who gives us great help with the children who have been born since.

Looking at your profession more closely, how is the domestic and export market currently performing for South Tyrolean wines?

South Tyrol is considered a region of excellence for white wines both in Italy and abroad. The city of Bolzano, however, differs from this image of a territory devoted to white grape varieties, as it is the cradle of the indigenous red wines Lagrein and St. Magdalener, which are its hallmark. There is, therefore, considerable curiosity, although competition among red wines in Italy and abroad is much fiercer. The domestic market is performing very well, especially the local one, because with such positive tourism figures, hotels and restaurants represent an important sales channel. But South Tyrolean red wines are also finding interesting opportunities abroad.

Does this make your promotional work even more of a challenge?

Yes, but it also brings many satisfactions. We are always present at the major European trade fairs and export both within Europe and internationally. Next week there is an important fair in Paris (Wine Paris), in a month ProWein in Düsseldorf, and the following month Vinitaly, unmissable events at which we will be present.

And regarding local events, are you taking part in the Weinkost-Mostra dei Vini in March?

The Bolzano Weinkost-Mostra dei Vini is one of the most historic wine events in South Tyrol. As a Bolzano-based company, we are always very pleased to participate, so of course we will be there again this year.

How important is it for you to be present, and how have you seen this historic city event develop over the years?

It is an important opportunity to present our new vintages to a local audience passionate about wine. Originally, it had greater visibility, but I am confident that the Bolzano Weinkost-Mostra dei Vini will continue to hold an important place in the South Tyrolean wine scene in the future.

Is your commitment to this work now all-encompassing, or do you still find some space for your long-standing passion for music?

Of course, whenever I can, I always carve out some time to play, and I am still a member of the Bürgerkapelle Gries.

Image: Judith Rottensteiner, Courtesy Andergassen Druck